Los Angeles Police Set To Carry Assault Rifles

OTHER NEWS TO NOTE - WEST

September 17, 1997

LOS ANGELES — Police on the streets of America's second-largest city will be armed with assault rifles to match the firepower of the criminals they face, Gov. Pete Wilson said Tuesday. Wilson said 600 U.S. Army surplus M16s have been supplied to Los Angeles police officers in the wake of a televised shootout with bank robbers earlier this year. Officers responding to the Bank of America robbery Feb. 28 were confronted with two men wearing body armor and carrying assault weapons. Finding their 9mm service revolvers inadequate, the cops were forced to run to a local gun shop for help.